Apparatus and method for reducing air pollution from exhaust

Abstract

An apparatus for reducing air pollution includes a piping system, at least one compressor fan, a cooling system, and a tank having at least one first filter and at least one second filter separated by at least one intermediary member. The piping system is coupled to a cooling system adapted to saturate the exhaust with water. The exhaust and contaminated water flow downward into the tank containing at least one first filter and at least one second filter separated by at least one intermediary member where the exhaust and the contaminated water are filtered. The cleaned water is recirculated through the cooling system, and the exhaust is filtered a second time through the at least one second filter, the at least one intermediary member, and the at least one first filter prior to release into the atmosphere. A method for reducing air pollution from exhaust is also provided.

I claim: 
     
       1. An apparatus for reducing air pollution, comprising:
 a piping system adapted for communication with an exhaust system; 
 at least one compressor fan coupled to the piping system to draw exhaust from the exhaust system through the piping system; 
 a cooling and saturating system to cool and saturate the exhaust with an exhaust cleansing fluid to break down one or more contaminants in the exhaust; 
 a tank in communication with the piping system, the tank having at least one multi-layer filter assembly, the multi-layer filter assembly being adapted to allow the exhaust with the exhaust cleansing fluid to pass through and filter at least a portion of the one or more contaminants in the exhaust or the exhaust cleansing fluid, the at least one multi-layer filter assembly being disposed at an elevated position within the tank, 
 wherein the exhaust is drawn from the exhaust system through the piping system and the cooling system by the at least one compressor fan into the tank and through the at least one multi-layer filter assembly to clean the exhaust or the exhaust cleansing fluid of at least a portion of the one or more contaminants, the elevated position of the multi-layer filter assembly facilitating additional passage of the exhaust through the multi-layer filter assembly to further clean the exhaust of at least a portion of remaining contaminants when present; 
 wherein the multi-layer filter assembly includes at least one first filter, at least one second filter, and at least one intermediary member positioned between a corresponding at least one first filter and a corresponding at least one second filter; and 
 a selectively accessible opening in the piping system, the opening permitting selective access for maintenance; 
 wherein the cooling system is disposed along the piping system between the exhaust system and the tank. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus for reducing air pollution according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one pump coupled to a power source to recycle the exhaust cleansing fluid from the tank back to the cooling system. 
 
     
     
       3. The apparatus for reducing air pollution according to  claim 2 , wherein the power source is selected from the group consisting of a direct current power supply, an alternating current power supply, solar power, wind power, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus for reducing air pollution according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one intermediary member comprises aluminum. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus for reducing air pollution according to  claim 4 , wherein the at least one intermediary member comprises layered angle portions to break down the one or more contaminants in the exhaust. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus for reducing air pollution according to  claim 4 , wherein the at least one first filter and the at least one second filter are formed of a material selected from the group consisting of concrete, carbon and gravel. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus for reducing air pollution according to  claim 6 , wherein the exhaust cleansing fluid comprises water. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus for reducing air pollution according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one first filter and the at least one second filter are formed of a material selected from the group consisting of concrete, carbon and gravel. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus for reducing air pollution according to  claim 8 , wherein the exhaust cleansing fluid comprises water. 
     
     
       10. A method for reducing air pollution, comprising the steps of:
 providing an apparatus for reducing air pollution, the apparatus comprising: 
 a piping system adapted for communication with an exhaust system; 
 at least one compressor fan coupled to the piping system to draw exhaust from the exhaust system through the piping system; 
 a cooling and saturating system to cool and saturate the exhaust with an exhaust cleansing fluid to break down one or more contaminants in the exhaust; and 
 a tank in communication with the piping system, the tank having at least one multi-layer filter assembly, the multi-layer filter assembly being adapted to allow the exhaust with the exhaust cleansing fluid to pass through and filter at least a portion of the one or more contaminants in the exhaust or the exhaust cleansing fluid, the at least one multi-layer filter assembly being disposed at an elevated position within the tank; 
 drawing the exhaust from the exhaust system through the piping system by the at least one compressor fan into the tank; 
 providing the exhaust cleansing fluid onto the exhaust passing through the piping system; 
 filtering the exhaust and the exhaust cleansing fluid through the at least one multi-layer filter assembly to provide a first stage clean exhaust; and 
 filtering the first stage clean exhaust by again passing the first stage clean exhaust through the at least one multi-layer filter assembly to further clean the first stage clean exhaust of at least a portion of remaining contaminants when present to provide a second stage clean exhaust; 
 wherein the multi-layer filter assembly includes at least one first filter, at least one second filter, and at least one intermediary member positioned between a corresponding at least one first filter and a corresponding at least one second filter. 
 
     
     
       11. The method for reducing air pollution according to  claim 10 , further comprising the step of:
 recycling the exhaust cleansing fluid from the tank back to the cooling system. 
 
     
     
       12. The method for reducing air pollution according to  claim 10 , wherein the exhaust cleansing fluid comprises water.